Lottery is a form of gambling in which a person draws numbers in order to win a prize. Many state governments offer lotteries to raise money for public uses, such as education, veterans’ health programs and infrastructure improvements. The success of a lottery has often depended on its perception as a “painless” source of revenue, with voters voluntarily spending their own money to benefit the public good, while politicians look at lotteries as a way to fund government services without raising taxes.1
Lotteries have become popular in many states, with players representing a broad cross section of society. Some people use the lottery to try to improve their life situations, while others simply play because it’s fun and a chance to fantasize about winning a fortune. Regardless of their motives, lottery players are exposed to frequent and intense advertising campaigns. They can also hear about the success stories of past winners on the radio and in the news, and see ads on television and billboards.
Despite their popularity, lotteries face numerous criticisms, from the possibility of encouraging compulsive gambling to the alleged regressive impact on lower-income people. These controversies can shift the focus of debate and discussion away from the general desirability of a lottery to its specific features. In particular, these controversies can lead to concerns about the size of prize pools, the marketing strategies used to promote them, the way in which the proceeds are distributed and whether the prizes are offered as lump sums or annuities.